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Store manager Kory Foster didn’t know that Montgomery’s first Walmart Neighborhood Market was built on a former golf course, and he didn’t know there was an uproar from the residents after the plans were announced.

But he was already focused on trying to surpass people’s expectations Monday, two days before the doors open for the first time.

The 1600 Federal Drive grocery store is about one-quarter as big as a Supercenter and features a full-service pharmacy, a gas station and an array of food and produce priced in line with other area Walmarts. There are several Neighborhood Markets in other parts of Alabama, and a second Capital City location is scheduled to open March 2 near Vaughn and Taylor roads in east Montgomery.

A contentious City Council vote last year approved the $10 million plan to build the Federal Drive store on part of the closed Bonnie Crest golf course. Some area residents had voiced fears that the store would cause crime to skyrocket and property values to plummet.

Foster said he thinks many of those people will change their minds once they take a look at the finished store. The nearly 100 employees were stocking shelves and training Monday as Foster showed off a made-to-order pizza line in the bakery, a private room for health consultations, modern, stylish restrooms and other amenities.

Another event could be even more likely to sway opinions. The store was holding a get-together Monday night to celebrate more than $8,000 in donations to local community groups. Birmingham transplant Foster said he and other store employees have already spent time working with a local charity.

“They want to volunteer, and most of them are already doing it,” Foster said. “That inspires me to help them. I’m new to this area, so they know things that I don’t know.”

The store is also planning a “Big Family Welcome” from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday with free food and activities. Foster said there will be other events the next few weekends, including cookouts and more.

The opening comes as Walmart puts more stock in its Neighborhood Market concept nationwide.

The company announced last week that it’s closing 154 retail stores, including nine in Alabama. At the same time, the chain plans to open eight of its grocery stores in Alabama by the end of March.

There seems to be a demand.

Foster said people have forced open the front doors and brought in carts to start shopping, despite a sign on the store announcing the opening date.

A driver stopped at the entrance Monday and rolled down his window. “Is it open yet?” he asked.

“Wednesday morning,” came the answer.

The man nodded and smiled, then continued into the parking lot to take a look around.